De Wetshof Bon Vallon Chardonnay 2017 – a Robertson gem

De Wetshof Bon Vallon Chardonnay 2017

One thing is clear, that while they produce some really fine full bodied oaked Chardonnays, the De Wet family of De Wetshof in the Robertson Valley, produce a couple of truly sublime unoaked Chardonnays. The De Wetshof Bon Vallon Chardonnay 2017 is a perfect expression of the Chardonnay grape grow in rocky gravel soils packed with limestone and clay which helps with the water retention during the summer months.

Peter, Danie & Johann de Wet in front of the Tasting & Sales venue on the Estate

Cold winters and sunny summers are par for the course for Robertson and interestingly breezes off the sea in the south ameliorates the summer heat in the vineyards allowing even and slow ripening

The grapes are picked before the vineyard warm up for the day, thus retaining all the elements for the making of this sublime Chardonnay. Once destemmed, the grapes are gently pressed and the juice run off is then allowed to settle out to clarity overnight. Fermentation then takes place. After the process, the wine is kept cool and left on the lees. Weekly stirring of the lees ensures maximum flavours are released into the wine until ready for bottling.

A 30 year old Chardonnay vine on the Estate

Pour
From a burgundy shaped bottle under natural cork. Elegant De Wetshof label. In the glass, a gem bright pale gold with youthful lime green flashes. The nose is filled with the expected windfall citrus. From entry, this wine is a joy. A golden thread of acidity runs through to the long slowly waning tail. The mid palate is filled with a generosity of citrus fruits, desiccated pineapple and lightly toasted hazelnuts.

Pair
Delicious as a glass on its own. It’s made for food and will tackle anything from seafood and oysters, pasta dishes with Sauce Alfredo, a gentle Kerala vegetarian curry. Fabulous with a butter roasted organic chicken.

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As a young aspiring chef, Michael laid a solid foundation for his career at the Cordon Bleu Cooking School in London. Over the next 30 years he had a series of high profile hospitality management posts, was the Public Relations Manager for Boschendal and ran three successful restaurants in the Cape, one of which, Parks, featured in the national top 10 restaurants.

Michael is a family man, author and broadcaster.

A lifetime devoted to the promotion and appreciation of the South African wine and food industry has earned him many accolades, including the Lannice Snyman Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2013 Eat Out Awards.

Michael continues to be prolific, informative and entertaining on his wine and food website, michaelolivier.co.za and on his wine site, wine4friends.co.zawhich sells specially chosen wine boxes.